Council invites tourism businesses to be part of Sustainable Tourism Networks

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosted an event to outline the opportunities available to participate in tourism networks across the District on Monday 13 November 2023 as part of Global Enterprise Week.  Following the event, an Expression of Interest process was opening inviting tourism businesses in the Fermanagh and Omagh area to be part of a number of sustainable tourism clusters in the District.

Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN World Tourism Organisation as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts and addresses the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

In June 2023, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, with partners Tourism Northern Ireland and Waterways Ireland, launch the Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP) for Fermanagh Lakelands and Omagh and the Sperrins.  The plan was designed in the VICE (Visitor, Industry, Community, Environment) sustainable framework with a strong focus on regenerative tourism.  The VEDP Delivery Partnership, made up of key strategic partners, has agreed a Year One Action Plan and in that have prioritised supporting businesses to establish sustainable tourism networks.

At the event, tourism providers had the opportunity to hear success stories from Taste Causeway, the Burren and Kinsale and, as well as how businesses are benefitting as part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark Sustainable business network.

Speaking about the development of the Sustainable Tourism Networks, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, said:

“I am delighted that the Council is seeking to establish Sustainable Tourism Networks for the District.

We have a strong tourism offering in the Fermanagh and Omagh area and, by working collaboratively and sharing knowledge and ideas, we can identify opportunities to further strengthen the Fermanagh and Omagh area as a destination of choice.

I would encourage all tourism businesses to sign up to be a part of the Networks to benefit from any potential opportunities identified and to deliver on our commitments within the Visitor Experience development Plan.”

The expression of interest process for the Sustainable Tourism Networks is open until 5pm on Monday 27 November 2023,  More information, including the application form, is available in the Council website (www.fermanaghomagh.com).